Syrian Future Movement Based on its commitment to the principle of building a state of law and institutions, it categorically rejects the continuation of “shadow ranks” that are not stipulated in the Syrian legal system, especially what is known among members of some security services as “sheikh.” This title, which is invoked in cases of pressure or ideological refinement within the services, lacks any legal or institutional definition and represents a deviation from the professional foundations of the state.
Syrian Future Movement He believes that relying on this “ghost” rank constitutes a serious regression to pre-state methods, where power was exercised through religious or sectarian leaders, not through institutions managed according to clear standards of competence and accountability. Security is not built by vague doctrine or discipline based on personal loyalty, but by a civilian value system that can be called “statesmanship,” a system based on institutionalized behavior that stems from the constitution and law, not from ideological gestures or symbolic threats.
Syrian Future Movement He cites the incident of journalist Amjad al-Sari, which occurred a week before the issuance of this statement in front of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, where he was threatened that the “sheikh” would take care of him, in an incident that reflects the use of this rank as a tool of intimidation outside the legal framework, and brings to mind the model of the “shadow man” who is not subject to any oversight or accountability.
There have also been other similar cases of the sheikh intervening to redirect the behavior of certain elements, making his presence a dangerous implicit institution for the concept of the nation-state.
Syrian Future Movement This systematic use of the so-called “sheikh” does not serve the reform of the security services or enhance citizen confidence in them. Rather, it perpetuates the logic of parallel authority that undermines the idea of inclusive national security. Combating this pattern begins with establishing a clear legal framework for responsibility within institutions and instilling the values of professionalism based on transparency and civilian professional discipline, not subservience to figures of undefined status or authority.
Syrian Future Movement We call for an independent investigation into the phenomenon of the “sheikh” within the security apparatus, and work to dismantle any ideological structures that exercise power outside the law. We also call for the launch of a national workshop to promote “diplomatic ethics” as a way to build republican security institutions whose only loyalty is to the Syrian constitution and not to any sectarian, ideological or geographical loyalty.
Syrian Future Movement He sees this call as part of a broader battle to restore the state from the logic of a closed polity to that of an open republic, where the citizen is the source of power and the institution is the sole custodian of the law.
